Roofing structure

ABSTRACT

A roof structure and its components comprises a series of metal panels having flanges that interlock when the panels are laid side by side and which are subsequently tightly seamed together to convert the individual panels into an integrated roof forming membrane. The roof structure may be insulated through the use of a blanket vapor barrier and insulation under the panels preferably along with thermal blocks located over the purlins. The roof structure includes unique flexible panel mounting clips that attach the panels to the purlins in such a way as to permit the panels to expand or contract in response to temperature and pressure changes, thereby minimizing roof stressing. 
     The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/000,345, filed 03/18/83, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).

REFERENCE TO PRIOR COPENDING APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.875,524, filed Feb. 6, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,282 granted July 22,1980. The structural changes introduced in the present disclosure are ofa minor nature, do not form a part of the claimed subject matter, andhave been shown herein merely in order to comply with the statutoryrequirement to disclose the best known mode of carrying out theinvention. Reference is also made to copending application Ser. No.875,533, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,247 granted Mar. 18, 1980 and tocopending application Ser. No. 875,532, filed Feb. 6, 1978, now U.S.Pat. No. 4,224,775 granted Sept. 30, 1980.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is the purpose of this invention to provide an improved roof formedof interlocked panels and panel mounting clips that is structurallysound, economical to manufacture and install, flexible enough toaccommodate differential dimensional changes, and thermally efficientwhen used with an insulation layer and thermal blocks.

The invention accomplishes this purpose by means of an improved seamedroof and panel clip structure composed of substantially identical panelsof a design in which opposite sidewalls have flanges shaped to nesttogether and interlock with each other and with panel mounting clipsfastened to the roof purlins. In preferred form the mounting clipsinclude a base that is fastened to the purlin and a flexible tab clipthat interlocks with the panel sidewalls and is secured to the base in amanner that permits it to move relatively to it in order to accommodatemovement of the panels relative to the purlins while maintaining theirattachment to them. If roof insulation is desired, blankets ofinsulation can be laid across the roof purlins and the panels and panelmounting clips laid on top of the insulation. Preferably, the insulationincludes relatively stiff thermal blocks that are laid over the blanketinsulation directly above the purlins and extend between the panelmounting clips. The panels are laid upon and supported by the thermalblocks thereby allowing the insulative blankets to be substantiallyfully expanded to their optimum thickness throughout most of theirlengths and the entire roof area to be insulated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of a building in the process ofconstruction showing an environment in which a roof structure embodyingthe invention may be utilized;

FIG. 2 is a broken away perspective view, on an enlarged scale ascompared with FIG. 1, showing roofing panels according to the inventioninstalled on the roof of a building such as FIG. 1 in course ofconstruction;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a roof panel constructed inaccordance with the invention viewed from one end and above;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but showing an initialstep in the installation of a panel;

FIG. 6 is a cross section with parts omitted of adjacent panels in theprocess of being interlocked, substantially as they appear in FIG. 5,one panel mounting clip being shown in phantom lines to indicate that itis fastened at that position after the panel to which it is to beattached is hinged down to a horizontal position;

FIG. 7 is a broken away perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but on alarger scale, showing a panel mounting clip and adjacent portions of apanel and purlin;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section through one side of a typical panelwith a panel mounting clip attached to it and mounted in a typicalmanner at a roof edge position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevation, broken away, of the panel mountingclip shown in previous FIGS.;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of the clip shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross section through the seaming area of a panel-panelmounting clip-panel joint prior to seaming;

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the joint of FIG. 11 after seaming;

FIG. 13 is a cross section through a panel to panel joint prior toseaming.

FIG. 14 is a cross section through the joint of FIG. 13 after seaming;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view with parts broken away somewhat similar toFIG. 7 but on a smaller scale showing a layer of insulation and vaporbarrier layer beneath the panel and panel mounting clip;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 with a thermal block added;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the panel clip mounted on a purlin overa layer of insulation and vapor barrier;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of a roof installationgenerally similar to FIG. 2 but showing thermal blocks and insulatinglayer; and

FIG. 19 is a cross section through one joint of a roof structure priorto seaming, similar to that of FIG. 6 but on a larger scale and withinsulating layer and thermal blocks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a building 1 with a low profile roof structure 3, sidewalls5, an end 7, and a floor 9. In accordance with the present invention,the roof structure comprises a large number of substantially identicalelongated metal panels 11 laid side by side and seamed together so thateach side 13 of the roof becomes substantially a one piece membraneformed of a series of integrated panels. The sidewalls 5 are illustratedas consisting of panels 15 erected side by side and which are securedtogether in any suitable manner. It will be appreciated that varioussidewall constructions can be used with the roof structure 3 of thisinvention. It is preferable, however, that the sidewalls be erectedprior to the roof structure since, as seen best in FIG. 2, the overhangof previously installed roof panels 11 would interfere with erection ofthe sidewall panels 15.

The building 1 has any suitable framework, such as frame columns andvertical members 17 that support the inclined transverse roof rafterbeams 19. The beams 19 support the horizontal longitudinal purlins orpurlins 21 of the roof structure. The top surfaces 23 of the upperpurlin flanges 25 define roof planes for the roof sections 13 that areflat and accurately rectangular and they support the roof panels 11 androof panel mounting clips 27.

In accordance with the invention, the roof panels have a special crosssectional configuration which not only strengthens them but enablesadjacent panels to be movably interlocked or hinged and, later, to betightly joined together in a common mechanical seam. The mechanicalinterlocks between adjacent panels in conjunction with the clips 27 holdthem substantially in place while the remaining panels are being run anduntil seaming can be finished thereby minimizing the possibility oftheir disruption due to gusts of wind, etc.

Each panel 11 comprises a central bottom portion 31 which may be flat,as shown, or reinforced in a suitable way such as by a series oftransverse embossed ribs (not shown) pressed into it. The panel hasopposite sidewalls 33 and 35 extending upwardly and outwardly from thebottom 31 at angles of substantially 60° to the horizontal. Thesidewalls 33 and 35 are substantially mirror images of each other,except for top flanges 37 and 39, respectively, and like features aretherefore given the same reference numbers. Thus, the sidewalls 33 and35 include outwardly slanted vertical bottom wall sections 41 having topends which are joined by horizontal shelf sections 43 to the bottom endsof outwardly slanted, vertical, intermediate wall sections 45.Horizontal rims 47 extend outwardly from the top ends of the wallsections 45 and terminate at the bottom ends of seaming ribs 49 and 51that form upper panel sections that extend, preferably, at right anglesto a plane defined by the bottom wall 31. Ribs 49 are slightly higherthan the ribs 51 so that flanges 37 will fit over the tops of flanges39.

The top flange 37 extends outwardly from the top of its rib 49 at anangle of substantially 60° to it (about 30° to the horizontal or planeof bottom 31); and the top flange 39 extends inwardly from the top ofits rib 51 at an angle of substantially 60° to it. The top flange 37 isa little wider than flange 39 and has an inner surface 53 and an outersection or lip 55 that extends inwardly and downwardly at an angle ofsubstantially 60° to the flange 37 (about 30° to the horizontal) for adistance substantially as indicated by the dimensional relationshipshown in FIGS. 13 and 19, so that a part of it will be vertically belowa flange 39 after installation. The top flange 39 has an inner surface57 and extends inwardly and downwardly toward bottom 31 at an angle ofsubstantially 60° to its rib (about 30° to the horizontal) and an endsection 59 that is doubled back toward rib 51 to form a reversely bentbulb-like end edge portion for the flange 39. It will be noted thatsuitable radii are provided at the various corners and bends and thatthe panels 11 are of a shape that can be roll formed from sheet metal inaccordance with known methods and using roll stand equipment that iscommercially available.

Referring to the panel mounting clip 27, best illustrated in FIGS. 7-10,the construction of this member enables it to assist in holding thepanels 11 in place after they are laid. It includes means to permit thepanels to expand and contract relative to the purlins 21 in response totemperature differentials and changes during the life of the roofthereby minimizing temperature induced roof stressing. The panelmounting clip 27 is preferably formed of sheet metal and comprises abase member generally designated 63 having a horizontal bottom flange 65that has four openings 67 in it whereby the clip may receive screwfasteners or the like 69 for attaching it to the top flange 25 of apurlin 21 or other support. The base member is proportioned to fit inthe tunnel defined by the sloping sidewalls 33 and 35 of adjacentpanels. The member 63 has a vertical column web 71 and several gussets73 may be pressed in it and in the bottom flange 65 at the cornerbetween the web 71 and the flange 65 to provide rigidity to the bottomend of the clip 27. Base member 63 has top flanges parallel to thebottom flange 65 including a central flange section 75 which is bent toextend in the opposite direction from bottom flange 65 and a pair of topend flange sections 77 on either side of the top flange 75 at theopposite ends of the member 63 and which extend in the same direction asthe bottom flange 65 and are parallel to it. The flanges 75 and 77provide shelves which fit beneath the rims 47 of the panels 11 toprovide means on which they may be supported if their weight is notcarried directly by the purlins.

The web 27 has a horizontal slot 79 extending through it which issubstantially coextensive with the flange 75. A holding tab member 81 ismounted on the web 71 and engaged in the slot 79 and is capable ofsliding movement from one end of the slot to the other. Tab 81 ispreferably formed of thinner metal than is the base member 63 and issomewhat resilient so that its vertical web portion 83 is biased towardthe surface of web 71 but can also move transversely away from it in thedirection of the arrow 85 (see FIG. 10). The bottom of the tab clip hasa special resilient loop, the general configuration of which correspondsin cross section to the capital letter omega with its loop somewhatflattened. The hook-like reverse bend portion 87 so defined extendsupwardly after passing through the slot 79 and the loop is shaped topress against the back of the web 71 just as the bottom of the web 83presses against the front side of web 71. The hook-like portionunderengages the top of slot 79 and opposes upward movement of tab 81.The clip metal is reversely bent downwardly in loop section 89 thatextends to below the bottom of the slot 79 for a distance substantiallyequal to the length of the reverse bend section 87. The section 89 isthen reversely bent into a hooked section 91 corresponding to section 87which engages the bottom of the slot and the back side of the web 71 andextends through the bottom side of the slot 79 where it is reverselybent downwardly in an end section 93 for the tab clip 81 that engagesthe inside face of the web 71. The reverse bend sections 87 and 91together with the section 89 form a resilient loop-like holding means 95for the tab which clamps it to opposite sides of the web 71 but permitsit to slide in the slot 79 between flanges 77. The horizontal spacing ofthe back loop section 89 from the reverse bends 87 and 91 provides aspring action that tends to hold the tab clip 81 in a vertical positionas shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 but also enables it to be moved away from theweb 71 in the direction of arrow 85. Since the tab clip 81 is relativelythin it can also be bent resiliently to some extent in the direction ofthe arrow 97.

While the tab clip 81 is capable of longitudinal movement with respectto the base member 63 it does have a center position along the midlineof the member 27 and is yieldably held in this position by means of adimple 99 that is embossed in the web 71 and adapted to seat in a hole101 formed in the tab web 83. Substantial force tending to move the clip81 in one direction or another along the slot 79 will overcome thespring pressure of the holding section 95 and enable the web 83 to rideover the dimple 99.

The top end of the tab clip 81 has a hook-like flange 103 which is verysimilar to panel flange 37. Thus, it has a section 105 that extendsoutwardly and downwardly at an angle of substantially 60° to the section81 and ends in a lip flange 107. The height of the flange 103 above theplane of the top surfaces of flanges 75 and 77 is a little more thanthat of a flange 39 above a rim 47. The transverse length of the flange103 is also a little more than that of flange 39. The flange dimensionalrelationships enable flanges 103 to snugly fit over and hook on toflanges 39 and the panel flanges 37 to fit over, hinge around, and hookon to the combined flanges 39 and 103 (FIGS. 11-12) as well as singleflanges 39 (FIGS. 13 and 14).

Referring to FIGS. 15-19, the structure already described is insulated.This is done by use of a layer 121 of compressible blanket insulationbeneath the panels 11 and a plurality of thermal blocks or bars 123 thatare substantially incompressible and located over the purlin runs. InFIGS. 15-17 a vapor barrier sheet 125 is shown beneath the blanketinsulation 121. As will become apparent, in using insulation the panelclips 27' are modified slightly so that the distance between the slot79' and flange 65' is increased over that used with previous clip 27.This is required to accommodate substantially the thickness of thermalbars 123. Other than this change (and tangs 126) the structures aresubstantially the same as previously described and, accordingly, thesame reference numbers are used with primed numerals designatingportions of the clip assembly.

It will be understood that layers of blanket insulation 121 from rollsare simply laid across the tops of the purlins 21 with an interposedvapor barrier as 125 if desired, before installation of the panels 11.The panel mounting clips 27' may be placed over the insulating layer andfastened to a purlin 21 by extending fasteners 69 through the openings67' in the bottom flanges 65' and then through the insulation into thepurlin 21 as seen in FIG. 19 and as assumed in FIGS. 15 and 16. Whenattached to the purlins 21, the tabs 81' of mounting clips 27' are inpositions to hold the panels 11 in place over the insulating layer 121.

Preferably, the thermal blocks or bars 123 have a width of their bottomfaces which is about the same as the width of the pulin surface 23. Theyare laid on top of the insulation over the purlins to extend betweeneach pair defined by the sequential panel chips 27' which are spacedalong the purlins conformably to the width of the panels. The panelclips may have triangular pointed barbs or tangs 126 bent out at rightangles from webs 71' to penetrate into a butt end of each bar 123 andhelp to mechanically hold them in place until the panels 11 are laid ontop of them. The side faces of the thermal bars 123 are preferablytapered on an angle of about 45°, as seen at 127, to facilitateexpansion of the insulative material in the blanket 121 to its fullthickness. The thermal bars 123 may be formed of suitable materialhaving strength as well as insulative properties, such as urethane foamor high density styrofoam. Although in FIG. 19, the ends of the bars 123are shown as notched out at 129 to accommodate the heads of the bolts 69and thereby extend closely adjacent to the webs 71' of the panelmounting clips 27', in practice it has been found that notching theblocks is not required and the foamed material can simply be deformedover the fastener heads during installation.

When the panels 11 are laid and held in place by the panel mountingclips 27', the bottoms 31 thereof will rest on the tops of the bars 123.Thus, their weight is transmitted through the bars 123 and through theblanket insulation into the purlins 21 thereby compressing theinsulation to a small fraction of its normal thickness, as seen at 131.Because of the beveled side faces 127, the blanket insulation is quickto rebound to its maximum thickness and this feature plus the insulativequality of the thermal bars 123 provide a substantially continuous andefficient insulative layer over the entire surface of the roof section13 to which the insulation is applied.

Since the bottom 31 of each panel is prevented from contacting the topsurface 23 of the purlin by the thickness of the thermal bars 23 and theinsulation section 131 but the panel clip 27' is only separated from thesurface 23 by the insulation section 131, it is necessary to increasethe height of the web 71' as compared with the panel clip 27 and its web71. This is apparent upon consideration of FIG. 19. This figure alsoshows that in other respects the structure of the insulated roofrevealed in FIGS. 15-19 is substantially the same as the uninsulatedroof of FIGS. 1-8.

In practical application of the invention, the framework of the building1 is first erected followed by the sidewalls 5. After this is done, thepanels 11 may be laid on the purlins 21 starting from the left andmoving toward the right end of the roof section 13. Ignoring specialprocedures known to those in the art for handling the structure at theends of the roof section, a panel 11 is laid across the purlins 21 andmay be allowed to rest there (or in insulation 121) under the force ofgravity and resistance of friction. After a panel 11 is thus laid on thepurlins 21, the panel mounting clips 27 are lined up with the right sidewall 35 of the panel so that the flanges 75 fit under the rim 47, thetab clip 81 abuts the upper section 51, and the top flange 103 and hooklip 107 extend over and around the flange 39 on the sidewall 35. Theactual connection can be made by hooking the flange 103 (or 103') on theflange 39 and hinging the clip 27 around to the vertical positionindicated. When this is done, holes are drilled in the purlin flange 23in alignment with the holes 67 in the bottom flange 65 of the panel clip27. Screws 69 are then threaded into these holes in the purlin tothereby firmly anchor the panel clips to the purlin. This, of course,also anchors the side wall 35 of the panel 11 to the purlin so that itcannot more upwardly away from it.

As seen best in FIGS. 5 and 6, the next step in the assembly procedureis to attach another panel 11 in side by side relationship to the panelthat has just been anchored in place by panel mounting clips 27. This isdone by interconnecting the side wall 33 of the second panel to the sidewall 35 of the first and anchored panel. More particularly, it is doneby placing the flange 37 over and around the flange 39 so that thestationary flange 39 is nested inside of the flange 37. Thisinterconnection is accomplished by tilting the panel 11 that is beingattached at an angle to the horizontal so that the reentrant hooked lipedge 55 can fit in the corner of the flange 39 as shown by the phantomlines in FIG. 13. When this relationship has been accomplished betweenthe flange 37 and the flange 39, the panel 11 can be hinged in aclockwise manner until its bottom 31 comes to rest against the surfaces23 on the purlins 21 or against the thermal bars 123. At this point therelationship between the flanges 37 and 39 will be substantially asshown in full lines in FIG. 13 in the cross sections where there is nopanel clip 27 and substantially as shown in FIG. 11 where there is apanel mounting clip 27. It will be seen that the lip 55 on the flange 37lies vertically below the rebent end 59 of the flange 37 andconsequently the two panels are interconnected in such a way that it isquite difficult to separate them by simple movements of one relative tothe other such as might be caused by wind gusts, etc. It is unlikelythat the second panel 11 will be disconnected or separated from theanchored panel 11 prior to seaming of the joint between them unlessthere is also angular unhinging movement of it to unhook its flange 37from the mating flange 39.

After the second panel 11 has been hooked to and hinged around theanchored panel as just described, panel mounting clips 27 are hooked toits side wall 35 and secured in place by bolts 69 as already describedfor the first panel. This process of hooking a panel being added to theroof section to one already anchored on the roof section, hinging itdown until it rests on the purlins 21, fastening the panel mountingclips 27 to the side wall 35 of the panel and then to the purlin 21, isrepeated until all the panels 11 that it is desired to install are inplace. It will be noted that in this condition the panel mounting clips27 together with the loose hook type interlock between flange pairs 37and 39 will integrate the panels so that they in fact form a unitarythough flexible roof structure 13. This flexibility is then materiallyreduced by running a suitable seaming tool along the upright uppervertical rib sections 49 and 51 to bend the flanges 37 and 39 againstthe inside face of upper section 51 on side wall 35 to achieve thecompressed, interlocked final assembly shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. Whenthis is done the lip 107 of the panel mounting clip tab 81 may in somestructures be flattened out, as seen by comparing FIGS. 11 and 12, butthis has no undesirable effect since it is apparent that the clip 27still serves to resist movement of the joint in an upward direction awayfrom the purlins 21. It does have a beneficial effect in that it makesit somewhat easier for tab 81 to move longitudinally relative to theupper sections 49 and 51 of adjacent panels. Such relative movement is,as previously mentioned, accommodated by the slot 79, the spacingbetween flanges 77, the dimple 99, and the flexible holding means 95 ofthe panel clip construction 27 and permits differential force systemsintroduced by temperature changes, pressure changes, etc. betweeninterconnected panels to dissipate themselves in relative movement ofthe panels rather than in deformation or buckling of the panels. Theresiliency of the tabs 81 also permits the interconnected panels 11 tohave flexibility as a roof membrane relative to the purlins 21 andstructure 17.

While not illustrated, it will be understood that suitable sealant ormastic material, strips or tape can be applied as needed to weatherproofthe roof structure.

Thus, the invention provides an improved roof construction that is soundof structure, economical to install, flexible enough to dissipatedifferential stress systems, and thermally efficient when combined withblanket insulation and thermal blocks.

Predictable, long term thermal characteristics and a minimalheating/cooling load are advantages of the insulated roof structure.Also advantageous is the flexibility provided by the panel mounting clipand panel interlock combination which enables the parts to have somefreedom of movement in either direction permitting the roof to respondto seasonal changes and heat or cold by shifting, expanding, orcontracting but in a way that tends to keep roof stressing belowcritical limits to provide a longer roof life.

This detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and theaccompanying drawings, have been furnished in compliance with thestatutory requirement to set forth the best mode contemplated by theinventor of carrying out the invention. The prior portions consisting ofthe "Abstract of the Disclosure" and the "Background of the Invention"are furnished without prejudice to comply with administrativerequirements of the Patent and Trademark Office.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein,it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: .[.1. In a paneling construction adapted to be installed byattachment to spaced parallel structural supporting elements such as theroof purlins of buildings, said construction comprising a plurality ofelongated panels laid over and transversely to such supporting elementswith the side edges of the panels abutting, said panels having generallyplanar mid-portions lying close to the supporting elements and havingupstanding seaming flanges on said side edges folded over and crimpedtogether to provide a mechanical interlock, each of said panels havingsupporting portions for said seaming flanges, said supporting portionsextending angularly upwardly away from each other and from themid-portion of the panel whereby the supporting portions of adjacentpanels define a tunnel-like area and clip means securing the panels tothe structural supporting elements, each clip means including a basemember, attaching means rigidly securing said base members and clipmeans to a structural supporting element in the tunnel-like area definedby the supporting portions of adjacent panels, said construction beingcharacterized by: holding portion against movement toward the basemember..].
 2. .[.2. A paneling construction as defined in claim 1.]..Iadd. In a paneling construction adapted to be installed by attachmentto spaced parallel structural supporting elements such as the roofpurlins of buildings, said construction comprising a plurality ofelongated panels laid over and transversely to such supporting elementswith the side edges of the panels abutting, said panels having generallyplanar mid-portions lying close to the supporting elements and havingupstanding seaming flanges on said side edges folded over and crimpedtogether to provide a mechanical interlock, each of said panels havingsupporting portions for said seaming flanges, said supporting portionsextending angularly upwardly away from each other and from themid-portion of the panel whereby the supporting portions of adjacentpanels define a tunnel-like area and clip means securing the panels tothe structural supporting elements, each clip means including a basemember, attaching means rigidly securing said base members and clipmeans to a structural supporting element in the tunnel-like area definedby the supporting portions of adjacent panels, said construction beingcharacterized by:A. A rim portion incorporated in an intermediate partof each of the supporting portions of each panel, said rim portionslying substantially in a common plane and extending inwardly toward oneanother from and substantially perpendicularly to the seaming flanges,B. The base member of each of said clip means having an upstandingcolumn with a top portion closely underlying and supporting said rimportions of the adjacent panels, C. A holding portion secured to thebase member of each clip means and preventing outward movement of theholding portion, said holding portions projecting upwardly from the basemember between, and being folded over and crimped together with, theseaming flanges of the adjacent panels to prevent relative movementtherebetween, whereby said holding portion and the top portion of thebase member co-act with the seaming flanges and with said attachingmeans to prevent movement of the seaming flanges and of the supportingportions of the panels toward and away from the structural supportingelements and also to hold the holding portion against movement towardthe base member, and .Iaddend.wherein the column of the base membercomprises a flat upstanding column web having a slot therein extendinglengthwise thereof, the holding portion comprising a sheet metal memberhaving a holding web lying beside and projecting upwardly above saidcolumn web, a part of said holding web at its lower end being slidablyinterengaged with the upper edge of said slot to prevent upward movementof said holding web, and a resiliently deflectable portion carried bysaid holding web yieldably slidably engaging the lower edge of saidslot. .[.3. A paneling construction as defined in claim 2, wherein saidbase member comprises a sheet metal member having a bottom flange forsecurance to the structural supporting element, a flat upstanding webdefining said column web, and top flange extending from both sides ofsaid column web and defining said top portion..].
 4. A panelingconstruction as defined in claim 2 wherein said holding web lies flatagainst one side of the column web and extends above and below the slot,a portion of the holding web extending through the slot and being formedon the other side of the column web as a loop extending above and belowthe slot and having the general cross section of the capital letteromega and defining a hook constituting said part which prevents upwardmovement, and defining a second hook which constitutes said deflectableportion.
 5. A paneling construction as defined in claim 4 wherein saidloop is of flattened configuration and the loop and said holding webbear frictionally against opposite sides of said column web.